The Artwork of Ice Cream

Interview with Sindy Posso
Pictures courtesy of Cielito Artisan Pops

Sindy Posso, cofounder of South Florida’s Cielito Artisan Pops, explains how she blends generational household recipes and contemporary components to make her enterprise’s widespread, revolutionary treats.

Inform us somewhat about your self and what you are promoting:
I’m from Colombia, however I’ve been residing in Miami for eighteen years. My husband, Ivan, and I’ve three children. After I turned a mother, I finished working as an architect and began residing a more healthy way of life, which is why I got here up with the thought of a wholesome frozen-treat enterprise.

My grandmother used to make ice cream again in Colombia, so I had all these outdated recipes to work from. I put my very own twist on all-natural pops by making them very fairly and distinctive. We solely use the very best components, akin to contemporary fruits and hormone-free dairy, so that you’re consuming actual meals and getting probably the most scrumptious flavors. The greenery and aptitude inside our three retailers additionally replicate who I’m and the meals we make.

Beginning a enterprise may be difficult. Was it for you?
Oh my God, sure! We opened our first retailer within the Wynwood neighborhood in 2017, and Hurricane Irma hit a couple of days later. We went 4 days with out electrical energy, so our first-ever manufacturing line utterly melted. We needed to come again and clear up the mess utilizing our cell telephones’ flashlights. It was horrible. At first, I assumed, “That is it; we’re performed.” However when one thing like that occurs, you truly get stronger. We simply began over and saved going.

In July 2020, we opened our second location, in Boca Raton—proper in the midst of the COVID outbreak. It was loopy as a result of, as soon as once more, we didn’t know what was going to occur to our enterprise. However because it turned out, folks wished to get out of the home and have some enjoyable, in order that they got here to purchase pops. We opened our third location in 2021 in Aventura Mall.

What’s the which means behind what you are promoting’s title?
It truly has two meanings. In Spanish, cielito interprets to “small heaven” or “small sky,” nevertheless it additionally means “sweetheart,” “my love,” or “darling”: one thing I’d name my husband. So our tackle it’s extra than simply “little heaven”—however our pops are heavenly. [Laughs]

How do you go about making your pops?
There’s a kitchen in our Wynwood store, the place we handcraft every part. Every day, our crew cuts the fruits and makes the bottom and the toppings. Because the authentic recipes had been for ice cream, we would have liked to get artistic to show them into pops. Making them is an intense course of, nevertheless it’s price it.

What number of flavors do you will have? How do you give you such distinctive ones?
We at all times have round forty flavors in inventory, and we rotate in 4 to 6 totally different ones each month. For these, Ivan and I at all times attempt to suppose outdoors the field; we get inspiration for brand spanking new pop flavors from consuming desserts after we journey and making ice-cream variations. For instance, final summer season, we went to Morocco and got here again with concepts like caramelized olives and pistachios.

What are your hottest flavors? What’s your favourite?
I’ve a pair. I really like tart flavors, so our Tamarind and Key Lime Pie pops are two of my favorites. For the important thing lime one, we don’t use any frozen or pasteurized juice; we zest and squeeze the limes each day for the freshest, most genuine taste. So far as buyer favorites, there’s a conventional meringue-based dessert referred to as pavlova, and our pop model of it’s considered one of our bestsellers. It’s made with custard and even has fresh-made meringue.

Moreover dairy, nondairy, and vegan choices, you even have dog-friendly ones. Inform us about them:
I’m a canine lover. I at all times advised Ivan that if we did this enterprise, we would have liked to welcome canines and incorporate dog-friendly treats, which led to our PUPsicles. They’re made with out sugar; we use actual fruit and honey as a substitute for sweetness. Canines love them. They really acknowledge the black-and-white constructing stripes of our Wynwood store and begin going loopy of their vehicles once they get shut. They’re as excited as the purchasers are!

What does your Miami neighborhood imply to you?
I see this space as our ceaselessly house. We assist locals as a lot as we are able to, especiallyfamily companies, as a result of we all know how exhausting it’s to give you an thought and make it occur. For instance, after we opened the Wynwood store, we requested native artists to assist create a wall show of pops and offered their artwork within the store. We additionally use native farmers’ produce as a lot as we are able to.

How has it been working along with your husband on this enterprise?
He’s been very supportive for the reason that starting. After I had this concept, he advised me to simply go for it. A key to our success is the belief he has in me—it makes me really feel safe and permits me to dream up all these wild flavors. He’s a quiet, easygoing man, and I’m somewhat bit loopy, so we work nicely collectively.

How would your grandmother really feel about how many individuals are having fun with her recipes?
Her sister continues to be alive; she simply turned ninety-four. Of their enterprise, she made the desserts and my grandmother the ice cream. So I’ve at all times talked to her about Cielito and shared our tackle the recipes together with her. She’s impressed, so I’m certain my grandmother could be too.

For more information, go to cielitoartisanpops.com